August 2, 2008 at 2:21am

By: Lyndsay Brown

Fire on Stage

Support your country, support underground music, to give artists the recognition they deserve. The 4th Toronto Independent Music Awards was held at the Phoenix Concert Theater July 31. It was a professional setup with newly famous and “up and coming” there to show support and to network for future opportunities. There were many performances by 2007 and 2008 nominees, and the host of the night was Sean Ward.

The press was every where you looked, trying to snap a shot of the hard working artists. Dame, an alternative band that was nominated for Best Alternative and Best Song won both awards and performed on stage with confidence, and strength, while belting her song Intervention. Marshall Dane, nominated for Best Live Electric was another unforgettable presence on stage, by interacting with his whole band while playing; it was exciting. Flavashop Inc. presented the audience with many creative underground hip hop artists like, Luke “Walker” Green, Human Record (nominated for Best Live Urban), Jersey, and Symmetry who all showed that Toronto has talent. Japhy Ryder won Best Adult Contemporary, and while playing on stage the drummer lit the “hi- hats” on fire. there were many other memerble performances too.

The night was packed with action and entertainment the artists worked hard to get here and each person is unique in their talents. Before the show was over I met the winners of Best Young Song Writer(s), Corporate Saturday who are friendly and eager to pursue their dreams. The night was a success and it was networking heaven for the entertainment industry. “Once you got skills, than you got skills and that’s what’s real” a quote from Flavashop Inc.

There were nominations for the following categories: best jazz, best blues, best live acoustic, best live electric, best live urban, best urban, best rap, best pop, best alternative rock, best indie rock, best metal, best punk, best country, best folk, best adult contemporary, best world, best out of province, best USA, best international, best song, and best young songwriter(s). 

Originally posted on onwers private FB: https://www.facebook.com/notes/lindsey-browne/toronto-independent-music-awards-08/21439761327